Rising Storm by Hunter Erin & Stevenson Dave

Author:Hunter, Erin & Stevenson, Dave [Hunter, Erin & Stevenson, Dave]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Childrens, Action & Adventure, Juvenile Fiction, Young Adult, Adventure, Cats, Animals, General, Fantasy, Fantasy & Magic
ISBN: 9780060525637
Amazon: 0060525630
Goodreads: 295086
Publisher: Avon Books
Published: 2004-01-06T08:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 15

“Let all cats gather around to listen!” Tall Shadow yowled.

She stood on her rock, outlined against a scarlet sky as the sun went down over the moor. The day

after the fire was drawing to an end.

Following his confrontation with Thunder and Clear Sky, exhaustion had overwhelmed Gray

Wing; he had stumbled into his nest and slept for most of the day.

When he awoke he discovered that Rainswept Flower and Shattered Ice had made an expedition

with Petal and Quick Water to find out the full extent of the damage in the forest. They reported back

that Twolegs with bright pelts and gleaming monsters had wrestled the fire into submission; it was

safe there now, though devastation stretched in all directions, and the smell of burning still lingered.

Cloud Spots and Dappled Pelt had headed for the river, bringing back bundles of herbs from the

waterside. Cats had been out to hunt; life was gradually returning to normal.

As the cats gathered around the rock now to hear what Tall Shadow had to say, Gray Wing noticed

that they were still divided into two groups: the forest cats and the moorland cats. His heart sank to

realize it, especially when he spotted Thunder close beside Clear Sky.

“Every cat knows what happened last night in the fire,” Tall Shadow continued. “I didn’t behave

as a leader should. And now, with my brother so badly injured, I don’t have the time or the strength to

carry on.”

Gray Wing winced as he realized what she was about to say. He had expected some kind of

announcement, but he still shrank from being singled out.

Tall Shadow glanced around the assembled cats. “I thank all of you for the support you have given

me,” she went on. Or not, Gray Wing thought, with a glance at Shattered Ice and Jackdaw’s Cry,

whose eyes were fixed on Tall Shadow with intense interest.

“Now Gray Wing will be your leader,” the black she-cat finished, and immediately leaped down

to sit beside Moon Shadow.

A chorus of surprise and approval rose up from the crowd of cats. Glancing around, Gray Wing

realized that Clear Sky’s cats looked particularly astonished. Strange that she would announce this

in front of them . . . but I suppose she has her reasons. And he sensed he wouldn’t have long to

ponder those reasons.

A tail swiped Gray Wing across the shoulder, and he turned to see Shattered Ice standing beside

him. “About time, too,” the white tom meowed. “Congratulations.”

“Yeah, you’ll be a great leader,” Jackdaw’s Cry added from where he stood at Shattered Ice’s

shoulder.

Glancing past him, Gray Wing spotted Turtle Tail gazing at him from the mouth of her den, where

she was sitting with her kits. Her eyes were shining with admiration.

Gray Wing could feel himself calming, until he turned and found himself face-to-face with Clear

Sky. He braced himself for another argument, but Clear Sky gave him a nod and mewed, “You’ll

perform well, Gray Wing.”

“Thanks.” Gray Wing relaxed again; his brother’s tone couldn’t be called friendly, but it wasn’t

hostile either. “That means a lot to me. Maybe our two groups can work together more closely now?”

He held his breath, waiting to hear how Clear Sky would respond.

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